Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN) , a leading provider of independent investment research, today announced it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Ibbotson Associates, a leading provider of asset allocation research and services, for approximately $83 million in cash, subject to adjustments for working capital and other items.
In addition, Morningstar anticipates realizing approximately $10 million in cash tax benefits in 2006 related to payment for the cancellation of Ibbotson's stock options. Morningstar does not expect charges related to the acquisition to have a significant impact on net income or earnings per share.
Ibbotson Associates was founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1977. The company's business lines include investment advice; investment consulting and research; planning and analysis software; educational and marketing services; and a widely used line of NASD-reviewed presentation materials.
Joe Mansueto, chairman and chief executive officer of Morningstar, said, "Many leading firms turn to Ibbotson because it is a leading authority on asset allocation. Similarly, our clients rely on Morningstar because of our expertise in security selection and investment research. By combining Ibbotson's top-down allocation expertise with our bottom-up, fundamental research, we will be able to deliver an even stronger array of services to investors."
Ibbotson is based in Chicago and employs approximately 150 people. Morningstar plans to retain the majority of Ibbotson's employees.
Roger Ibbotson will serve in an advisory role at Morningstar, reporting to Mansueto. Mike Henkel, president of Ibbotson Associates, will continue to lead Ibbotson's retirement advice and investment consulting businesses, reporting to Tao Huang, chief operating officer of Morningstar. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc., Ibbotson Associates will become a new unit of Morningstar's Institutional business segment.
Morningstar Associates, LLC, also offers retirement advice and investment consulting services. Because Ibbotson Associates and Morningstar Associates use different methodologies and platforms, Morningstar will operate the two businesses separately to ensure continuity for current clients. Clients may choose to keep their current service or select from a broader range of offerings under the combined organization.
Ibbotson's EnCorr software product will be integrated into Morningstar's Data Services business, which is part of its Institutional segment. Ibbotson's Portfolio Strategist, iPlan, Components, Presentation Materials, and Training businesses will be integrated into Morningstar's Advisor business. Ibbotson's publications business, including the Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation Yearbooks, will be integrated into Morningstar's Individual segment.
Ibbotson had $37.2 million in revenue for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2005. Morningstar will file a Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission by May 17 that includes pro forma historical financial statements for the combined company, as well as stand-alone historical financial statements for Ibbotson.